OU football: Bob Stoops' contract extended through 2020 season

NORMAN — The contract of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops has been extended through the 2020 season, the school announced Thursday.

“We took this action to express the University’s deep appreciation for Bob Stoops’ work,” OU president David Boren said in a release. “In my opinion, he ranks among the very best nationally in the way he combines his ability to coach with high ethical standards.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL / MUG: Bob Stoops talks with the press before the start of Spring Football at the University of Oklahoma (OU) on Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

The action must be approved by the OU Board of Regents in their meetings Sept. 18-19 in Tulsa and Claremore.

Terms of the new deal were not disclosed. The deal was last extended in September 2011, when a new seven-year deal worth $34.5 million before bonuses was agreed upon. Stoops is to earn $4.55 million this year.

When he arrived in Norman, Oklahoma hadn’t been to a bowl game in four years and hadn’t been to more than two bowl games in a row since a five-year streak ended in 1988, Barry Switzer’s last season at the helm.

“When I took this job, I felt in my heart and knew this isn’t a stepping-stone job,” Stoops said. “This isn’t a job you get and do well to go to another good job. I think I’ve proven that through a bunch of opportunities, that this is a great job and we’ve done it pretty well and it’s worked out for a good period of time.”

In 14 seasons, Stoops’ teams have gone 149-37, winning eight Big 12 titles, the 2000 BCS National Championship and going to a bowl every season.

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by Ryan Aber

OU Athletics Reporter

Ryan Aber has worked for The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Barons and OU football recruiting. An Oklahoma City native, Aber graduated from Northeastern State. Before joining The...